Critic Reviews

It’s atmospheric, engrossing, wonderfully designed with gorgeously retro graphics and a finely tuned, balanced difficulty curve that opens the game up to anyone willing; it even includes a developer commentary in the form of audio nodes placed in-game that you can listen to as you play. The game’s real pièce de résistance though is that you are playing a videogame with a fantastic, twisting story, something rare and welcoming.

Flat out, Gemini Rue is one of the best games I’ve ever played. In terms of it’s point-and-click design, it’s one of the best. The puzzles are concise and simple in concept while being completely stumping until the answer just clicks. It’s so much fun. The combat is kept very simple, yet becomes very challenging if you attempt to go for the related achievements; otherwise it’s a very simple and easy plot device. Combat never feels tedious because it never lasts long enough to feel boring, and it happens so rarely that it’s a treat when it pops up. The story is so amazing: it’s well written, the characters have so much depth, and the twist/ending will leave your jaw agape during the last scene of play. I can’t say enough great things about this game. No matter the price (as of this writing it’s on sale on Steam), pick up Gemini Rue. Play it twice. You’ll be glad you did.

While Gemini Rue is a wonderful adventure game, it is not perfect. The game's inclusion of action sequences, while an interesting addition, is awkward in execution. Certain actions are mapped to specific keys, which may work for some gamers but not others. The fact that the game does not allow the player to remap keys is certainly a strike against it. However, as the action sequences are a minor part of the overall game, it is a strike worth forgiving. Additionally, while the game attempts to draw in gamers new to the genre (and will most likely succeed), veteran gamers will find Gemini Rue an easy game. Still, novice gamers who do not see the act of crossing a balcony as a complex multistep task may have some difficulty getting into the right mindset for the puzzles in this game. If you can forgive these small flaws, however, you will find Gemini Rue to be a gritty, immersive neo-noir story filled with plenty of twists and intrigue.

I don’t recall another game in recent memory that screams quality as loudly as Gemini Rue. Everything about it is practically dripping with polish, love, art and great design. There’s a free demo, no DRM, no large and evil publisher, the price is a mere $15, and just about anyone with a computer can run it. There’s simply no reason not to buy it. And so far as I’m concerned, if a game manages to remind me of Planescape: Torment, Portal and The Longest Journey, all at the same time, then it’s a game that I absolutely must own and recommend to everyone I know. Should any of those AAA blockbusters happen to match half of Gemini Rue’s character and degree of excellence, I will be very pleasantly surprised.

Without going into any great detail of the story I will say that this is a game which, in the end, highly delivers on its early, hinted promise. It’s obvious from the get-go that you’re not just playing as two separate characters for no good reason, and that eventually somehow they will become relevant to one another. To say that Gemini Rue satisfies in how it unravels its mysteries is an understatement: as in most good games you can sense when the climax is about to hit, and here is a coda that’s as good as any I’ve ever seen. As someone who absolutely adored adventure games in their heyday and has ever since lamented their decline, for me Gemini Rue felt simultaneously like a trip back to the Golden Age and a breath of hope for the continued well-being of the genre. This, brought on by an intimately-sized group of artists who obviously care deeply for its future.

Gemini Rue is the first commercial game from Joshua Nuernberger, but not his first effort using Adventure Game Studio. His mastery of the tools, as well as the strengths of the genre, are perfectly suited for this science-fiction/noire story. Gemini Rue is equal parts tense, thoughtful, and surprising; it’s the single best, most compelling adventure game I’ve played in years.

I love Gemini Rue. The narrative was gripping, friendly characters were likable, and supporting characters all seemed like they belonged in the world and evoked the correct emotional response. The dark, rain drenched neo-noir setting is perfect for the story being told. Scenes were beautiful, the music fit superbly, the voice-acting was believable, and the sound effects were realistic. Is a person simply the sum of all experiences and outside input or is there more to a person? Gemini Rue explores identity, ethics, and even free will. Like all great pieces of fiction, which Gemini Rue definitely is, it'll leave you contemplating the questions it poses even if it doesn't offer a concrete answer. If you're an adventure game fan or simply like the themes, setting, and story presented, you owe it to yourself to look into Gemini Rue!

Gemini Rue for iOS is an accomplished port that faithfully delivers one of the best adventure games in recent memory to a much wider audience. The PC version – which was already a bit fiddly at times – has the edge when it comes to controls (hence the ever so slightly lower score for the iOS version), but don’t let that put you off. No matter what platform you’re playing on, you’ll be enjoying one of the best indie adventure games of the past few years. I concluded my original review with the following words: “Without a doubt, this is already one of the best adventure games of 2011; visually, aurally and thematically stunning. A phenomenal achievement.” In 2013, you can now hold this wonderful adventure game in the palm of your hand.

Overall Gemini Rue is an amazing game that deserves a look from anyone who likes science fiction stories, adventure games, or is feeling slightly nostalgic for games like Flashback and Out of this World. Gemini Rue should take you anywhere from five to eight hours to complete depending on how quickly you can solve the puzzles. That said, I have to admit that there’s little replay value in the game. The only incentive for a second play though is to listen to the developers commentary, which is very interesting and a great little addition, although it may only be for people who were really into the Gemini Rue world. Also note that Gemini Rue is an independent title that can be purchased on Steam for $9.99, so it’s not like you’re spending $59.99 on a game with little replay value. If you find yourself sitting around looking for something interesting to play, pick up Gemini Rue; its by far one of the most interesting, engaging games of this year.

The puzzles are non-arbitrary and lend a tangible logic to exploring futuristic environments. Non-interactive cut scenes are spaced apart and concise, but each offers increasing complexity to the storyline that it feels rewarding. Gamers who enjoy seeing a story through to its solid conclusion will find that Gemini Rue has much for them to explore.

Gemini Rue is a thrilling ride from start to finish, creating a dark and ominous story that is stays with you long after the finals screens, almost seeping into your subconscious. The great use of neo-noir music along with a retro style really makes it stand out, and the mere fact you're getting 8 hours of gameplay for $15 is reason enough to check it out. The only downside is that it could offer a little more challenge, but this is one hell of a ride.

Having done all the writing, animation and programming himself, Gemini Rue took Josh Nuernberger a total of three years to make—the same amount of time it takes some triple-A titles to hit the shelves. If only more triple-A games turned out this well. With (for the most part) seamless, intuitive gameplay, impressive atmosphere and one of most well-crafted and interesting storylines seen in recent years, Gemini Rue is a game not just for adventure fans, but for anyone who loves a good, gritty yarn.

But those are nitpicks in a largely flawless and engrossing experience - something more reminiscent of a gripping, page-turning bestseller than what adventure gaming has come to represent. In trimming away the fat and crafting mythologies, characters, and mysteries so immersive it's difficult to end play sessions, Gemini Rue has re-injected a heavy dose of something that's been missing from the genre: the sense of adventure.

Gemini Rue is a unique adventure game that offers players glimpses to an alternative, not so bright future. The gloomy, gritty atmosphere in the game, as well as the compelling story and mildly-challenging puzzles is what makes Gemini Rue a “must-buy” for every fan of the genre out there.

Gemini Rue is a unique adventure game that offers players glimpses to an alternative, not so bright future. The gloomy, gritty atmosphere in the game, as well as the compelling story and mildly-challenging puzzles is what makes Gemini Rue a “must-buy” for every fan of the genre out there.

Developer Joshua Nuernberger has crafted a smart, thoughtful tale that keeps introducing fascinating new ideas and characters. Even for such a throwback game, the execution is terrific, with great voice acting and smart-looking cutscenes. Those longing for the bygone heyday of the adventure genre won’t find much of a challenge in Gemini Rue, but they will find a good time and some justified nostalgia. Note: Gemini Rue can be enormously difficult to get running on a computer running Windows 7, 64 bit. There are workarounds, but the troubleshooting process is more trouble than it’s worth, and finding a machine running an older version of Windows is preferable.

Truth be known, I would probably play it again anyway. Gemini Rue does most things very right, and will appeal strongly to fans of these old style games, and anyone who likes an interesting and well told tale. If only there weren’t those cylinders!

Overall, Gemini Rue is a solid effort. The story is excellent, the puzzles are good enough, and while the graphics aren't anything to write home about, they score high marks in nostalgia, and they do a reasonable job in setting the mood. What Gemini Rue demonstrates, I think, is that you don't need a fancy engine or gigabytes of content to create a compelling game. Here's hoping that Wadjet Eye can keep up the good work, and that enough people purchase their products to keep them in business.

In a way, though, it's a blessing that there isn't because this isn't that kind of game. Gemini Rue has a story it wants to tell and deviating from it would kind of defeat the purpose. It's very much a blast from the past in that sense, and one that I hope becomes a first shot in a salvo of interesting indie games with a penchant for impressing nostalgic old timers like me.

Gemini Rue is an intriguing beast, it harks back to some of the classic Sierra adventures but feels more like evolution of the adventure genre rather than revolution. The story fairly ticks along and will engage most players; certainly the more interesting aspects of the story are teased out by playing the character with a lack of memory. If you are in anyway interested in adventure games you should get this game.

Gemini Rue instills a sense of urgency and immerses the player in its world, its two protagonists, the rescue, and the escape through efficient mechanics and an engaging, well-acted cast. The final plot revelations via confrontation with the masterminding Director nest everything together and inspire contemplation about free will, identity, and what it means to play video games – or have them play you.

I’ll say it again: Gemini Rue is one of the best adventure games I’ve ever played. The puzzle challenges are generally enjoyable and astoundingly intuitive, and even the ones that aren’t as exciting, fun, or satisfying are at least on par with those of any other adventure game you’ve ever played. The solid design philosophies of a talented developer, the elegantly retro visual presentation, the outstanding voice acting, the perfectly atmospheric music and sound, the tense combat sequences, the funny and insightful bonus commentary, and the well-developed story with its gleefully brilliant plot twists leave me with nothing of any value to complain about, and I am very good at complaining. Even the parts that leave me wanting more only demonstrate how this fantastic game could be more fantastic.

Gemini Rue stands out among the throng of generic point-and-click adventure games. The atmosphere remains tense and dark throughout the entire game, and when you finally plow through the story’s last couple of twists, you’ll be glad you played the whole thing.

The adventure genre seems to be going through a little bit of a revival at the moment – which can only make old fans like me happy. And it’s good to see indie developers sitting down with the classics and putting the old pieces together in a new way. Wadget Eye Games has done this, and the result is an atmospheric moody title that is helped, not hindered, by its technical limitations. Sure, it has a few minor operational issues – but is that enough to over-ride its commitment to thorough characterisation and a good yarn? No it is not. Not by a long shot.

If my enthusiasm for this product could be measured, it would be substantially higher than my actual score. Gemini Rue is an imperfect adventure game, but a triumph of DIY adventure development and a marvelous feat of interactive storytelling. For those with even the slightest inclination toward retro adventures, indie gaming, or science-fiction storytelling, it is a must-play and sets a new standard for independent debuts and reminds us just how rewarding one young developer's labor of love can be. Effective, impactful storytelling may be the hardest part of game design to get right—and seeing how right he gets it tells me that Joshua Nuernburger will be a part of the future of this genre for some time to come.

Gemini Rue, the recently released commercial debut of Joshua Nuerenburger, is an exciting game. Not just in its thrilling story and engaging gameplay, but also in what it means for the future of retro games, as crazy as that sounds. While many dismiss the low-res adventure game genre as an outdated holdover from the olden days, Gemini Rue proves that the style still has very much to offer. With a captivating narrative, glorious pixel art, and a feel of greatness, Gemini Rue must not be missed.

Gemini Rue is a truly great adventure game, with its clever mix of puzzles, logic and action, marred only by a convoluted aura. If this is any indication of what we can expect from developer Joshua Nuernberger in the future, then we'll definitely be keeping an eye on his work.

I’ve decided to leave any specific plot points out of this review because if you plan to play the game, I’d hate to deprive you of the game’s one bright spot. As the final acts draw near, you’ll start to figure out some of the game's secrets. If you’re like me, you won't see them coming. The story reveals are intense and exciting. I just wish the downtime was more entertaining.